"Rancho Monterey" showcases California furniture, ceramics
by Stan Poe

Rancho Monterey, an exhibit of Spanish Revival and Mexican Decorative Arts in California, is currently being presented by California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica. This exhibit should be of particular interest to anyone living in a Spanish Colonial Revival home. It showcases Monterey and rancho style furniture, California ceramics and tile, Mexican ceramics, tourist-wares, costumes, and works by artists including Phil Paradise, W.H.D. Koerner, Hernando Villa, and Juan Intenoche.

Monterey furniture was first conceived by the Mason Furniture Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles around 1930. The company was approached by Barker Brothers Department Store to develop a line that would present something new and refreshing to the public, complement the home styles, and revive business during the depression. It was an instant success, and a tour of this exhibit will show you why. 

Furniture makers in other factories, artists who worked in all media, and decorators responded with a plethora of colorful designs and a romantic view of “California ranchos” that captured the imagination of new residents arriving from the east and the midwest. Also on display are numerous examples of tiles, tables, murals, ceramics by Hispano- Moresque and D & M Tiles, as well as historic photographs.

The California Heritage Museum is easy to access. From the 405 freeway, take the 10 freeway west toward Santa Monica and exit on Lincoln Blvd. Turn left and proceed to Pico, where a right turn will get you to Main Street. Turn left and drive to 2612 Main St. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. There is a very good restaurant in a Victorian house across the way.

Far Left: This Chair and dresser is on display as part an exhibit of Spanish Revival and Mexican Decorative Arts in California at the California Heritage Museum.

Left: “Dancer Tile” from the Rancho Monterey

 


 

 

For more information consider reading:

Monterey furnishings of California's Spanish revival
Atglen, PA : Schiffer Pub., c2000.
ISBN: 0764310674  (Available from the Long Beach Public Library)

Description: 175 p. : col. ill. ; 23 x 29 cm.
Added Authors: Renick, Roger.
Trotter, Michael.
Congdon-Martin, Douglas.
Mason Manufacturing Company.
California Heritage Museum.